Samoset

Samoset (1590-1653) was an Abenaki sagamore who was the first Native American to greet the Pilgrims upon their arrival at Plymouth, surprising them by greeting them in English.

Biography
Samoset was a subordinate chief of the eastern Abenaki, and he resided in what is now Maine. He learned English from English fishing captains who came to fish off Monhegan Island, and, on 16 March 1621, he greeted the Pilgrims upon their arrival at Plymouth. He surprised them by greeting them in English, and he asked for bread and beer. A few days later, he brought Chief Massasoit and his translator Squanto to Plymouth, leading to the Native Americans and colonists establishing an alliance. Samoset died in Bristol, Maine in 1653.